WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Friday depicted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's presence at peace talks as "not very important".

In an interview on Fox News Radio's The Brian Kilmeade Show on Friday, Trump criticized Zelensky's handling of the war. "I've been watching this man for years now, as his cities get demolished, as his people get killed, as the soldiers get decimated."

Trump went on to accuse Zelensky of lacking leverage in negotiations. "He has no cards," said Trump.

ALSO READ: US intensifies pressure on Ukraine to sign minerals deal

The US president said that Zelensky's participation in talks over the past three years had not led to any substantial progress.

"He's been at meetings for three years, and nothing got done," Trump said.

While acknowledging the devastation in Ukraine, Trump argued that Zelensky's involvement in peace talks has made it more difficult to reach deals. "He makes it very hard to make deals. But look what's happened to his country, it's been demolished."

Minerals payoff

Trump said Friday that Washington was nearing a deal requiring Kyiv to hand over 50 percent of its rare earth minerals as the payoff of US aid during Ukraine's conflict with Russia.

"We're signing an agreement, hopefully in the next fairly short period of time," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about a deal for Ukraine's minerals.

READ MORE: Trump, Zelensky trade barbs over Russia-Ukraine conflict

In a video address, Zelensky said: "Ukrainian and US teams are working on a draft agreement between our governments. This agreement can add value to our relations -- what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works."

"I look forward to just results," the Ukrainian leader said.

Trump, whose administration bypassed Ukraine to hold direct talks with the Russian side in pursuit of ending the three-year conflict, has craved Ukraine's rare earth deposits, which are crucial raw materials for certain high-tech products.

He has also criticized the former Joe Biden administration for providing too much aid to Ukraine but getting nothing in return.

ALSO READ: Zelensky holds phone talks with Macron, Trudeau

Speaking on Wednesday of the Trump administration's initial proposal demanding a share of Ukrainian minerals without committing to providing a security guarantee for Ukraine, Zelensky said: "That's not a serious conversation. I can't sell our state."